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Recent documents have revealed that Tesla owners were the primary recipients of electric vehicle rebates in Manitoba, with substantial financial benefits stemming from the provincial government’s initiative.
Last summer, Manitoba’s government initiated a rebate program, offering up to $4,000 for individuals purchasing or leasing electric vehicles priced below $70,000. Notably, these incentives were retroactive, covering purchases from the previous summer.
Data obtained via a freedom of information request indicated that between August and February, Tesla secured over 20 percent of all the approved rebates, translating to 337 vehicles and a financial impact of nearly $1.3 million. Ford followed in second place, with 226 approved vehicles and a total of $864,500 allocated in rebates. Hyundai, Chevrolet, and other manufacturers rounded out the list across 22 different car brands.
The Manitoba government, however, announced an end to rebates for Tesla and vehicles sourced from China in March during its budget discussions. Finance Minister Adrien Sala articulated that this decision was aligned with a broader response to tariffs imposed by the U.S. and China. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has faced scrutiny due to his advisory role with former U.S. President Donald Trump, complicating the automaker’s standing in the province.
The government is also evaluating its contracts with Starlink, another venture owned by Musk, though an official resolution has yet to be disclosed.
The Opposition Progressive Conservative Party criticized the government’s changing rebate strategies. Tory finance critic Lauren Stone expressed dissent regarding the decision to target Tesla specifically, arguing that the rebate program itself had flaws and that resources could be better allocated to alleviate financial burdens faced by Manitobans, such as surging property taxes and food prices.
In defense of the rebate program, Sala asserted that it has resonated positively within the community, highlighting a desire among Manitobans for accessible clean energy solutions. He emphasized that the recent changes also serve as a form of protest against U.S. policies that threaten Canadian sovereignty, framing the ban on Teslas as a dual response to both local interests and international relations.
Source
globalnews.ca